Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1887-11-15


present. Railroad Commissioners Woodruff
and Hayward were in the hall during the
hearing.
The representation from the various towns
was as follows:
Howard.
FaiElsld EepEsssntss adss, " H Glover
Westport-B W. Naples
Berlin-First Selectman 8: F. Talmage.
Simsbury-Jeffery o. Phelps.
Chatham-First Selectman ]. NJ. Ackley, A. H.
East Hartford-Lawrenee D. Lester.
Derby-First selectman Jno. B. Quillinan.
New Haven.First Selectmaa James Reynolds.
North Branford-Martin G. Bishop, as substitute
for Selectman A. 81; Hill.
Selectmen James McCarty and John w. Bucking-
ham.
Mddletown-First Selectman Sherman Bacon,
Selectman Ira L. Gardiner.
Pennington Selectman W. NJ. Wadsworth.
Old Saybrook-Ffrst Selectman S. H. Lord, Sc
lect nan f. Ayre. e,.,.... 1,
Portland-First Selectman j. H Pelton, Select
man Nelson Pelton.
acknowledgements II. G. B. Gunner, First
Selectuan Stiles Judson.
Cheshire-Selectman A. E. Smith.
Newington Senator Kirkham, First Selectman J .
H Fish, 81. A, Whittlesey, D. L. Robbins. T. R. At
wood and Roger WelIes.
South Windsor-Attorney Lewis Sperry, repre-
senting the selectmen; First Selectman George S.
PIymouth-First selectman Byron futile.
Waterford-Town Agent James E. Beckwith.
Canterbury-Town Clerk Marvin Fl. Sanger
Windham-First Selectman J. G. Martin.
Coventry Representative George L. Phelps.
Guilford-First Selectman H. E. Parmlee.
North Haven-First Selectman Whitney Elliott.
First Selectman Judson of Stratf9rd said
the cost of removing one of the seven cross
ings will be $780, 900. The town is 800, 900
in debt; the grand list yields only $15, 900
annually and any extra expense will be
burdensome The town desires an extra
session.
First Selectman Andrews of Milford said
his town had seventeen crossings and an ex-
ira session is desired by the people.
Mr.. Conklin, of Chatham, said that his
town has heavy railroad debt due to the
Air Line road and cannot endure any further
burden.
First Selectman Jaeger explained that his
town has debt due to the same causes. No
vote has been taken, but the people favor an
extra session for relief.
First Selectmen Whitney Elliott, of North
Haven, favored an extra session. as the town
has nine grade crossings to be abolished.
First Selectman Ingles, of Middlefeld, ar
gued that session is necessary because I'M
der the present law the town will have to
bear large burden for abolishing the grade
crossings. The town is now burdened with
taxation on its railroad debt.
First Selectman Wadsworth of Farming
ton said the question was whether, if an extra
session was called, the same members would
do any better than they did last winter. The
town of Pennington cannot afford to pay any
more taxes.
Mr. Talmadge of Berlin said that taxes are
high, and an increase of the debt would be
ruinous.
selectman E. AyTe Of Old saybrook said
that his town has fourteen crossings. The
town sunk large sum in railroad enter
prises, and is now asked to assist in re-
moving the dangers which the rail
roads created. He described the grade
crossing work which is proposed, and said
that the town intends to fight the matter
in the courts. The expenses should be
apportioned on q different basis than that
adopted by the railroad commissioners. The
Consolidated road is worth $50, 100000 The
grand list of Old Saybrook is 5000, 900. The
cost should be apport1oned, then, in proper
ton to these figures.
Mr.. Morehouse, of Stratford, believed the
town would vote unanimously against abol-
ishing the crossing proposed to be abolished
there.
Mr.. Reynolds of New Haven't no extra
session is called nearly all the grade crossings
will be removed before Jan. l, 1889, and it
will be next to impossible to obtain rebate
from the legislature of that year. It will cost
New Haven alone $500, 900 to remove the grade
crossings within her limits. If the railroad
company can be induced to allow matters to
stand as at present until the next regular
assembly, do not think the people will urge
a special session. He said that a majority of
the board of selectmen are in favor of an ex-
ira session, as the town has thirty-five cross
ings, thirty-two of which are over pre-eXisting
roads. Three crossings are now being
changed and if the road is allowed to continue
an immense expense will be brought on the
town. The town will pay about one-han on
these three, and if all the crossings are
changed under the present law it will cost
the town half million. If the railroad
company would let matters rest, instead of
altering them, there would be no need of an
extra session. If the railroad pays the cost
of abolishing its crossings in New York it
should pay in Connecticut.
First Selectman Quilinan of Derby, in
quite an extended address, agreed that the
railroads had grown rich out of the people
and should pay for the crossings. Derby has
held no town meeting on the extra session
question. However, the selectmen favor a
session as absolutely necessary and propose
to call meeting.
Selectman Foote of Branford claimed that
the biennial session plan was voted for
mainly by the railroad interests, and it was
curious that nothing was done in this grade
crossing matter until the plan went into
effect. Branford wants an extra session and
u A6W INV
Mr.. Naples, of Westport, gave history
of the grade crossing troubles.
Mr.. Lewis Sperry of South Windsor-The
town represented voted to ask your excel
lency not to call special session.
Mr.. Bassett of New Britain-Our town has
not voted on the subject, but I will call a
meeting if your excellency intends to defer
your decision for some little time.
Mr.. Bacon of Middletown-The people of
my town, think, are in favor Of an extra
session. We will undoubtedly have a special
town meeting, and the result will be for
warded to your excellency.
After few more remarks the Governor
retired, first announcing that he would not
give decision inside of two weeks. Messrs
Foote, Morehouse and Welles were appointed
a committee at a subsequent meeting of the
gentlemen to decide if another meeting would
be necessary.
AS DID THE ALDERMEN.
The Board of Common Council Vote
Unanimously to Submit the State
House Question to the PeOple-The
Ordinance Concerning the Board OF
Compensation Goes Over - Orders
Passed.